Donations needed for Aug. 29- 30 benefit for Groton man

August 15, 2008|From staff reports

Donations are needed for a two-day benefit for Kenny Howard, a Groton man who was paralyzed in a fall. A live auction will be a big part of the benefit, which takes place Aug. 29 and 30. “We need some good items to attract a crowd,” said organizer Topper Tastad. “We are looking for good, saleable items.” If you would like to have your donations picked up, call Jay at (605) 380-3547 or (605) 397-2478. Howard, 47, was injured getting off a ladder while descending from a roof in June. He fell 13 feet. He broke his neck at cervical vertebrae six. He has had two neck surgeries and is currently a patient at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls. Howard has had some other complications, but as soon as he is able he will be having rehabilitation at Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colo. Howard is the son of Jerry Howard and Paula Rossow. Raised in the Groton and Columbia area, he graduated from Groton High School in 1978. Howard left the area in 1990. He returned in 2002 to care for his mother and decided to stay. The benefit will take place in Groton along U.S. Highway 12, east of the golf course. Free primitive camping is available. Lunch and concessions will be available. It is described as “a weekend of fun for the whole family.” The benefit will begin Aug. 29 at 9 p.m. with a dance to the music of Kashmir. Activities Aug. 30 will begin with a pancake feed at 7 a.m. The live auction starts at 10 a.m. Also on tap is mud volleyball. People are invited to get a team together. The cost is $10 per person. The day will also include mud wrestling, a greased pig, a dunk tank, inflatables and a bake sale. Baked items are needed. A taekwondo demonstration begins at 1 p.m. Pickup mud drags begin at 1:30 p.m. Eclipse will perform at 9 p.m. A group is still needed to perform at 7 p.m. To volunteer, call (605) 397-7337. Attendees will be able to hit a car with a sledgehammer and buy a chance on how a long a van will run without oil. There will also be a split pot. “Bring your lawn chair and spend the day!” says the flyer. A shuttle service will be available to and from Groton and the Lakewood Mall. The benefit is sponsored by Friends of Kenny Howard and the Groton Chamber of Commerce. To volunteer your time, call (605) 397-7337.